Transform Your Mental Health With Diet & Lifestyle | Dr. Chris Palmer

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Thank you for your interest in science! — Andrew

Thank you for your amazing work gentlemen 🙏🩷

Premium member here, funny April fools joke! Request: podcast on antibiotic resistance. Any new gram-negative abx being developed? I haven’t come across any in United States Midwest in practice as a bedside nurse.

Andy’s podcast is 🔥

Can you help a 75 yo with 4 blockages and good bloodwork.non smoker drinker or drug user.
Am I doomed to undergo 4x bypass surgery?

Maha cut 10,000 people including environment health…that's what led to the discovery of lead on brain development. Also a whole slew of other preventable morbidities. The word female has been annexed from all research. Maha is a wonderful idea conceptually, but that isn't happening. Maybe it will…
Maybe it won't.
We may have been played based on our desire to not be poisoned by our government and their mega corporations donors. Japan put their money and influence into nutritional education for children. That doesn't happen here because healthy people don't create revenue for food, pharmaceutical and health insurance corporations.

Omg this is incredible! Thank you for sharing your light Dr. Palmer and Dr. Huberman! As a mental health practitioner, I’m filled with so much hope for the individuals I support; we are giving them the power to heal . Throwing this out there: Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen, MD; cofounder + Chief Medical Officer of IntellxxDNA would be a great follow up on this episode. She would provide great insight as to how we are changing the narrative through precision medicine. 🥳🥳

Brain energy book needs a guide book for me and people of Bangladesh and a elaborate addition

Hi, please consider lupus induced neuropathy as your topic. Specially sensory mononeuritis multiplex and trigeminal neuropathy. And what else it can cause. Thanks for your efforts. Really appreciate it.

Junk food and mental disorders are correlated there is no causation. It is also true that People with mental health issues become obsessed with the immediate satisfaction that junk food provides.

It will be nice to have a podcast with Ryan Holiday

This was an excellent discussion in many ways, but why was exercise not discussed? Isn't zone 2 training essential for mitochondrial health?

Fantastic episode. I'm already very close to the six pillars and this inspire me to continuing to fight for my health and sanity instead of giving in to the "demons". Thank you, Chris and Andrew, for your fabulous work.

I couldn't help but notice Dr. Palmer's lamenting the poor funding for nutrition and diet research in the NIH. I don't know the specifics, but it might be good to follow up on whether the recent cuts to NIH research funding (partially to give a slap to universities) and RFK Jr.'s personnel cuts at HHS will lower the amount and quality of this research even more. Don't know if there is a plan but would like to know.

As a Medical student Dr Andrew Huberman Podcasts has created a passion for neurology, I feel more intrigued by how the human brain works

Are you a Virgo, Andrew?! I ask, because, I am! “Samesies,” maybe?!

Seems like every year people are realizing more and more that keto/carnivore is a powerhouse for healing the mind and body.

This has been a wonderful episode. One thing though from a Puclic Health practitioner, you can’t have this conversation without discussing the problem with access to healthy food, toxic free living environment (lead especially) and access to safe places to play and exercise. I agree that most people want to be healthy, but many people lack the access to make these “lifestyle” choices. Until we address this, we will make little headway. Thank you for all you do!

1. Metabolic Psychiatry and the Unifying Role of Mitochondria:**

* Dr. Palmer credits Dr. Huberman with increasing public awareness of the relationship between mental and physical health, often termed "metabolic psychiatry," which utilizes nutrition, supplementation, and medication for mental health treatment.

* He emphasizes that this field, which focuses on the link between metabolism and severe mental illness, has historical roots dating back to the 1800s. Early researchers investigated metabolic disruptions in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

* The field later became more focused on neurotransmitters and psychological/social factors, leading to a splintered approach.

* Dr. Palmer views the integration of metabolism with mental and physical health as a way to **unify these biological, psychological, and social perspectives**. He believes that mental and physical illnesses are often interconnected through shared underlying mechanisms.

* *Mitochondrial function is presented as a central umbrella concept* for understanding various aspects of health, including neurotransmitter production, neural activity, and neuroplasticity.

* Mitochondria are not just energy providers; they are integral to cellular function, influencing neurotransmitter release, inflammation, immune response, hormone synthesis (including cortisol and sex hormones), and epigenetics.

* Ultimately, mitochondrial health plays a foundational role in an organism's ability to adapt, survive, and reproduce.

2. The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine for Mitochondrial Health:**

Dr. Palmer outlines six key pillars of lifestyle medicine that are fundamental for improving and maintaining mitochondrial health:

* *Diet and Nutrition:* Emphasizing that simple advice like "eat more plants" is insufficient and that diet's impact is complex.

* *Exercise and Movement:* Highlighting that exercise increases the number and health of mitochondria in muscle tissue.

* *Sleep:* Recognizing the crucial role of adequate sleep for metabolic health.

* *Managing Substance Use:* Ideally reducing or eliminating harmful substances that can deplete mitochondria.

* *Stress Reduction Practices:* Including mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to mitigate the negative impacts of stress.

* *Relationships and Purpose:* Underscoring the importance of social connections and having a sense of purpose in life.

3. Impact of Diet and Nutrition:**

* *Ultra-processed foods are highlighted as detrimental* to both physical and mental health, potentially contributing to increased calorie consumption and other negative effects. While direct evidence linking food additives to mitochondrial damage is lacking due to insufficient research, epidemiological studies clearly show a correlation between higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and poorer health outcomes.

* The **ketogenic diet**, a 100-year-old evidence-based treatment for epilepsy, is presented as a dietary intervention that can have profound effects on mental health disorders.

* The ketogenic diet *mimics the fasting state* and shifts metabolism, potentially improving mitophagy (removal of defective mitochondria) and mitochondrial biogenesis (creation of new mitochondria). Animal studies suggest a link between ketogenic diets, the gut microbiome, and mitochondrial changes in the brain, contributing to anti-seizure effects.

* *Intermittent fasting and fasting-mimicking diets* (like the one developed by Valter Longo) may also have health-improving qualities by potentially benefiting mitochondrial function. However, the effectiveness of time-restricted eating can be confounded by the quality of the diet during eating windows.

* Dr. Palmer emphasizes the **critical role of early-life nutrition**, particularly breastfeeding, in brain development and long-term health outcomes. Malnutrition during pregnancy increases the risk of both metabolic and mental disorders in offspring.

4. Impact of Exercise and Sleep:**

* Exercise increases mitochondrial density and improves their ATP production capacity in muscles. It also promotes neuroplasticity.

* Adequate, quality sleep is essential for overall metabolic and mitochondrial health.

5. Detrimental Effects of Substance Abuse:**

* *Stimulants* (like cocaine and amphetamine) can deplete mitochondria at high doses by causing them to overwork and produce excessive reactive oxygen species, leading to chronic mitochondrial dysfunction. Low doses of stimulants (like those used for ADHD) can improve brain metabolism by stimulating mitochondria.

* *Alcohol* has been shown since the 1960s to cause mitochondrial toxicity, particularly in the liver and brain, contributing to conditions like cirrhosis.

* The *carcinogens in tobacco* are harmful to health. **Nicotine**, being a stimulant, may have similar dose-dependent effects on mitochondria as other stimulants; low doses might be beneficial, while high doses could be toxic. Chronic substance abuse disrupts metabolic health by creating a cycle of hyperstimulation and suppression.

6. Potential Supplements for Mitochondrial Health:**

* *Creatine* is a phosphate shuttle essential for cellular energy transformation and mitochondrial function. Lower brain creatine levels have been observed in individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders. Supplementation has shown promise in improving symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and neurodegenerative conditions in smaller studies. However, large-scale, government-funded trials are needed for definitive conclusions. Lifestyle factors should be prioritized before considering creatine supplementation.

* *Methylene blue* acts as an electron acceptor and donor within mitochondria, potentially reducing reactive oxygen species and improving mitochondrial function. While it has been used for various medical purposes, research on its benefits for neuropsychiatric disorders is limited to small pilot trials. It carries the risk of serotonin syndrome, especially at higher doses or when combined with other serotonergic agents.

* *Urethan A* has shown promise in improving muscle health and performance in older adults in well-designed studies, suggesting broader metabolic benefits associated with slowing the aging process. However, Dr. Palmer reiterates that diet and exercise remain more fundamental for overall health.

7. Importance of B Vitamins and Iron:**

* **Vitamin B12, folate, and iron are essential for proper mitochondrial function**. Deficiencies in these nutrients can impair mitochondrial activity and are associated with various neuropsychiatric symptoms.

* Iron deficiency is prevalent, particularly in young women. B12 deficiency can result from insufficient intake, impaired absorption (e.g., due to oral contraceptives, Metformin, or autoimmune conditions like pernicious anemia), or a newly recognized autoimmune condition targeting B12 transport across the blood-brain barrier. This central nervous system B12 deficiency might not be detectable in standard blood tests and could contribute to severe neuropsychiatric symptoms potentially reversible with immunosuppression and high-dose B12.

8. Vaccines and Mitochondrial Function:**

* High levels of **inflammation are known to impair mitochondrial function**. Infections, including the flu, can induce neuropsychiatric symptoms through inflammatory processes.

* There is evidence that *inflammation during pregnancy can increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders* in offspring, as seen in historical infection outbreaks and animal models using inflammatory agents.

* While the debate about vaccines and autism is contentious, the current scientific consensus, based on published research, suggests that **vaccination does not increase the risk of autism**; in fact, not vaccinating may increase the risk due to the potential of infections themselves to cause neurodevelopmental issues.

* Dr. Palmer emphasizes the need for *understanding individual biological responses to vaccines* and the potential role of lifestyle factors in modulating inflammatory responses. He supports rigorous scientific exploration of the relationship between vaccines and autism, despite the prevailing scientific view.

9. The Need for a Metabolic Health Metric:**

* Dr. Palmer and Dr. Huberman discuss the possibility of creating a *comprehensive, incentivized metric of all-around metabolic health* to improve individual and public health outcomes and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

* Several research groups are actively working on identifying *biomarkers that reflect mitochondrial dysfunction* and could potentially predict conditions like autism or identify individuals with severe mental health disorders. A set of just five biomarkers has shown high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing individuals with severe suicidal depression.

* Currently, there is **no single blood test for mitochondrial health**, but research is progressing in identifying relevant biomarkers.

*11. The Future of Mental Health Treatment:*

* Dr. Palmer is establishing a healthcare practice focused on treating severe chronic mental health conditions using a metabolic approach, aiming to demonstrate the real-world effectiveness of these strategies.

* He advocates for a paradigm shift in the mental health field, moving away from simply assigning diagnostic labels and managing symptoms towards *identifying and treating the underlying causes* of conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and chronic depression, where mitochondrial dysfunction may play a significant role.

* He expresses hope for increased NIH funding for nutritional and metabolic research to advance our understanding and treatment of these conditions.

Would love to have your podcasts dubbed in Spanish . I have family members that would find listening in very beneficial .

36:00

Awesome episode. I am curious if you have any input on photobiomodulation (laser) therapy and the theory it is activating the mitochondria of the cell to produce ATP and help with inflammation and cellular regeneration? I use class 4 laser in clinic and see results with tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.

I’m so grateful for this interview, listening to Brain Energy now and super excited for your book ❤ thank you

Standing ovation for delineating between a cluster of symptoms ( diagnosis) and etiology of the process ( which can be modified/ cured). Too many medical professionals stop at diagnostic words, which make patients think the diagnosis is a thing in itself.

The biggest credit goes to dear Dr. Huberman, who created this scientific environment on social media. YouTube wasn’t a safe place to get medical info before Andrew Huberman, I’ve learned a great deal from Dr. Huberman and his guests, which shifted my lifestyle to a more healthier one. “Your call to adventure has helped so many people Dr. Huberman” God bless you